Anna H

Thanks guys, Fifi - My thoughts are also with you and your loss of beautiful Navarre.

Tonight at 8pm, my beloved Cougar was given his wings... he was so very tired after living a totally wonderful life. Tears are streaming right now, I dunno how I will ever fill this void in my heart - they broke the mould when they made this dog. I'll be back when strong enough to write his story. RIP old man, we'll meet again someday. ETA: I was 15 when bought Cougar from a pet shop back in 94 for a whole of $25 after finding out that they were going to 'get rid of him' as he was too old to be sold (he was 9 weeks!)... little did I know at the time that this dog was going to be my 'heart dog' and the best damn friend I'd ever have. When I bought him home, my parents when ballistic as they didn't want another dog (we already had a JRT) but somehow between my whining and Cougar's pleading eyes, he was allowed to stay and become a much loved member of our family. It was almost as if he 'knew' how lucky he was to have a home, never once did he soil inside the house, nor run inside, nor bark inside... such a perfect gentleman. Outside was a different story, he totally destroyed my Mums' beautiful garden, digging gigantic holes and ripping out plants just for the thrill of it.... luckily he had already won the hearts of the family. I spent many hours training him at the local club, he went on to gain his CDX before his 2nd birthday - mostly because of his extreme drive to 'fetch' which made him want to work like none I'd seen before (it was about this time that I vowed that the day he couldn't play fetch, I would give him his wings). I worked extra hours at a local burger place to make sure I had enough money to get him desexed, wormed and vacc'd... and to ensure he only ate the best food available (Euk & raw bones). I had a really rough teenage years, mostly due to bullying and boughts of anxiety/panic attacks... Cougar was always there to catch my tears and listen to my secrets. That dog knows all my deepest darkest secrets, most of which none others know. The silly bugger always was scared of thunderstorms, no matter how high I made the fence, he'd find a way over in his panic if for some reason he was left out during an unforcasted storm... I nearly lost my darling Cougar quite a few times, and he'd found his way to the pound a couple of times too. I was always greeted with a sheepish doggy smile when I came to collect him. He was still scaling 10 foot fences when he was at the ripe old age of 10! He was a dog that never really grew up, until one day about 6 months ago, I walked outside and he was suddenly old.. I've heard of this happening with working breeds, but never really seen it. From that point on, he just deteriated. He became very thin, yet suddenly had a huge appetite, his lovely lush black coat had become thin and orange in colour, his hips were going on him from years of working them too hard. I wanted him to spend one last Christmas with the family before setting his tired body free... I needed to let him go before the young 'puppy' within his eyes went. I never wanted him to be old and sad - I gave him his wings whilst he was a happy dog. Old, frail and tired, but happy. I'll never be sorry for setting him free, but I am so so sad to have lost probably the best dog and friend I'll ever have the pleasure of knowing. Run free old boy, may you be waiting for me at the bridge when my time comes - with a ball in your mouth ready to play fetch again. You've left a gaping hole in our familys' hearts, but also so many wonderful memoried. We love you Cougar.

Another Aloveen fan here! Love the stuff... makes the coat so glossy and soft. It is expensive, but you only use a teeny amount!

I'm just so annoyed that I will be far too pregnant to attend this!!! You guys that are going as just so lucky - enjoy!

I swear by Rescue Remedy as well... fantastic stuff for calming dogs (and on occasion, ME!)

Sorry for hi-jack... Swan Valley isn't too bad from here (Alexander Heights).. can you send me contact details? thanks

I'm not a breeder, but have previously gone to Applecross for hip scoring... was exeptionally happy with their service. Just wish I knew of a vet practice that good NOR!

Mine were about $130 for the four jab course... but the boosters thereafter wound up being nearly $50 each because a consult was charged each time.

GSP's have dark hair to shed on the light stuff and light hair to shed on the dark stuff A Dyson is a great investment, but I wouldn't say a GSP moults any more than any other smooth coated breed. Can't wait for pics of your new baby!

Daisy2002 has made some good points.... GSP's can be trained to sleep outdoors if done from a young age, but they really are a breed that loves their 'humans' and do a lot better when allowed to live the pack that they love so much. Mine sleep in a spare room as I don't want them in my bedroom - I found they got too cold in the laundry and whined during the night. Has the breeder didn't you any advice in regards to sleeping arrangements? Ie, what is the pup used to?

Northern Suburbs is pretty good as far as puppy classes go and run on Sunday morning... and you can move up to the next level of training once you and your pup are ready. Fees are about $50 a year and you can attend as many classes as you like for this.

I give the monthly heartguards, but every third month I use the Heartguard Plus... vet has ok'd to use in this manner

Ok, well let me find out about these venues people have suggested... and see when they are available. Then I'll send out an e-mail reconfirming everyone's interest (as it has been a while)

Um, unless someone else wants to take over on this one, August wont be possible for me... I'll be 8.5 months preggers by that stage and probably not up to running around with dogs! My e-mail is bikergrrl79 at hotmail.com if anyone needs to get in touch.

Hey everybody... did you hear that? Spikey is paying for everybody! woo hoo Thanks heaps for the venue suggestions Spikey, I actually drove past Kingsway Oval the other day and wondered if it would be suitable... will give Wanneroo Council a phone call. Sorry guys for letting this slip a bit timewise... the old preggo hormones have had me in a wonderful daze called sleep! Haven't had much time or energy for anything else lately. OK, will start pm'ing/emailing you all again in the next day or so - for those that have asked, still yet to work out details of dates etc. How is everyone for May (the weather should still ok then) - otherwise it'll have to be after mid September if I'm still the one to organise it. K9 - When suits you? and are you sure you really wanna fly, walking is just so good for your health? Will have to check venue etc too. Will get my a*se into gear now... especially as since being pg I am having no end of major troubles with Chelsea. I'm just about ready to wring her naughty little neck (not literally people!)

Great idea KC! I reckon they'd be a few buyers some something like that. I've not had any issues with mine other than not being allowed at the dog club (even inside out ) Occasionally someone in the street will ask about it, I just take it off the dog and show them how gentle they can be. Problem solved!

Neither did I Rusky - actually, I'm pretty sure she doesn't (but someone asked where to find her?)... there aren't many trainers in Perth that do, and some of the ones that do, shouldn't.

Gina O'Keefe is often found at Northern Suburbs Dog Training in Carine

Finding a qualified experienced bahaviourist in Perth is proving to be a question asked often on this forum... as yet, no names have come up to be recommended, and never have I seen a certain franchise recommended here I am currently trying to get THIS happening, it's still a long way off and in early stages but may be of interest. ETA: Sorry to go slightly OT here people, but just wanted to say a big sorry to the Perthies if you haven't heard from me yet in regards to getting K9 over here... pregnancy has pretty much got me zapped of all energy right now... will be picking this up again soon... so if you are still interested, please post in the thread!

I was of the belief that they are legal in WA... If used correctly, they are a brilliant training tool IMO - I've had a lot of success with my one. I doubt you will find them in the pet shops over here tho and they are probably lesser quality ones if you do. K9Force (do a search on members) sells top quality ones, he's based on the east.

Jenna was such a special dog ;) may she run free and happy now It was a gorgeous way to say good bye to a very special friend.

Woo hoo Toby! Well done.

Personally, I've not had any success with them at all.. Chelsea actually learnt to pull in the halter. When she wasn't doing that, she was either distressed by it or sulking. K9 Force got it sorted quick smart! I can now walk her in a flat collar under all but the most extreme distractions (working on those!)

Community Companion Dog, it's a new class before CD... optional. If you wish, you can skip and go straight to CD.

The new CD is pretty much entirely off-lead after July ... the CCD is nearly all onlead.